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I’m sure if it’s steel frame it will be a “GrEeN KtM”
No counterbalancer makes it a pass for me.
Does the YZ have a counterbalancer? I’m not sure I’ve ever ridden one with it. 🤔
No. But the engine in the XE300 is a brand new design by Motori Minarelli. Why they left it out is beyond me. A lot of people will argue about it robbing horsepower, but most of us mortals wouldn't notice the loss. I think what Broseph was getting at is that big bore two-stokes are notorious for vibrating, and a counter balancer just makes riding one so much better. At this point in my life, I wouldn't own a big bore without one. Numb hands and feet suck.
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Yep I could see that. I used to ride my cr500 all day and didn’t notice it. But if you’re gonna pay $8k+ for a dirt bike, it should come with it.
Looks like the Betas are counterbalanced (200 & 300 rr).
I wonder if it’s similar to a flywheel weight?
I had this though back when they first annouced the 2 strokes. I don't think even Kawasaki will be that crazy. The rage from the 2 stroke fan base could never be sated 😂
I think it's been so long that some are forgetting AC and I think MC as well said it is a full sized 2 stroke.
Haha, that would be funny to watch 😎
Did a Beta demo ride a year and a half ago and the 200 had probably the most linear power delivery of any two-stroke id ever been on. Hell, it was more linear than the tamed down X-trainer. Made good low-end grunt and good top end power both but wasn't peaky at all. Could've been the way the power valve was set, I'm not sure, but it surprised the hell out of me. Around here, we now have two beta dealers within an hour's drive. They're quickly becoming the preferred street legal dirt bike due to the options you get with a MC title and the offroad folks seem to be taking more notice to them due to finally having close dealer access. I know they used to have some electrical gremlins, but I don't hear as much about that anymore. Had a buddy buy a 300RR used and the engine kept giving issues, even though he was the 2nd owner, Beta sent an entire engine to him under warranty. Hard to beat that kind of support for the customer.
Sounds mostly negative
69Hemi nailed it. Also, crank and flywheel can be lightened to offset the extra rotational mass of a balance shaft. ‘17-‘22 KTM 250SX bikes were counterbalanced and plenty rowdy.
Unfortunately the Betas still vibrate a lot more than the KTMs. Their counterbalancer must not be as refined.
Nah. I’m a wuss. So the linear power delivery was nice for me.
Ohh okay. I read it wrong. I’m seriously interested in the 200rr. All it needs is the front fender tilted down a notch and it’s pretty much perfect.
People would pay 15000 apiece for the old kx500 engine in the current chassis, a full lineup is what they need. They lag behind ktm yamaha and honda in total # of bikes sold, it won't steal 250f and 450f sales fron themselves, they already have to heavily discount those models every year. Alot of guys that will never buy a ktm, will buy a kx.....I realize 500s aren't perfect, stopped selling etc. But, no one wanted 1989 model chassis in 2000s so. 500s are in vogue now, big time social media cred lol.
I still check every day! 🤣
Well, Kawasaki has no timeline so…
They may have already released something. The dog was sort of a 2-stroke thing right. Hydrogen motors are technically a 350 2-stroke if you really look at it.
I believe 2026 models announced in late June on according to first look articles from last year. So most likely, nothing will come until then if anything does.
Pit Row
It would be so funny if Kawasaki only dropped an unchanged KX85 with bold NEW graphics as their new 2-stroke model 💀
At this point, I completely agree because I’ve decided to go buy a new YZ 250x later this week. Not that I matter or that they care, but they’ve officially lost a customer here. I’d find it hilarious if it ends up being a mechanically unchaged 85 with bold new graphics.
With ktm dying a slow death I hope some brand comes with some 125cc 2 stroke to replace the hole ktm/husqy/gasgas are going to leave, eh?
Emx125 with only yamahas is going to look way too blue. (Plus 4 tms and 4 frantics hehe)
I'm not sure if I mentioned it here or not already, but I wouldn't be surprised if Kawasaki saw KTM struggling and decided to drop two strokes again to try and knock them completely out of the market with their recent financial troubles. Since KTM is one of the few brand still making 2Ts. Japanese business is absolutely cut throat from what I remember.
Slow death?
It’d stink if Kawasaki changed their mind about this..
There’s also the possibility that Kawasaki will see an opportunity with KTM leaving a vacuum in the market.
Why don't all you two stroke guys go buy a Beta, Go buy a Sherco, an Austrian brand, maybe a TM.... and more.
Go buy a bike from those who actually build what you claim to want!!!
That’s a very sensible and logical suggestion, we don’t like that around here.
Most of us have made the mistake of buying an Austrian brand. I don’t even know where to buy a TM. I’m not interested in sherco. Beta is a great option I had been seriously considering while waiting for Kawi to make an announcement.
Post a reply to: Kawasaki is bringing the two stroke back!